AA Weekly: top Android news of the week, June 16, 2013

New iOS 7 arrives, but it’s not actually that new

Neon colors, Helvetica Neue Ultra Light, and an assortment of features borrowed from other operating systems – that seems to be the recipe followed by Apple under the lead of Jonny Ive, who took over UI design in a bid

The internet was ablaze on Monday with angry Android fans pointing out the similarities between iOS 7 and Google’s operating system, ranging from the quick settings drawer, to the lock screen, and the general look and feel of the interface. Others cruelly mocked the retina-searing color scheme and the somehow heavy handed icon design of the new iOS.

But should we, Android fans, feel offended or flattered that Apple has taken more than a few pointers from our favorite operating system?

The new Nexus 7 is upon us

The week brought us an avalanche of more or less credible information related to the second generation Nexus 7. Unlike last year, when the 7-inch tablet’s $199 price tag was the price to beat in the industry, it seems that in 2013, Google won’t be engaging in the race to the bottom – the Nexus 7 II (as some call it), will supposedly start from $229, which is a bit more than last year, and definitely more expensive than the current crop of cheap 7-inch Android tablets, including the Iconia B1 and the Asus Memo Pad HD 7.

Towards the end of the week, what is believed to be the new Nexus 7 made an appearance at the FCC and the Bluetooth SIG, adding weight to rumors suggesting that its launch is imminent.

The One Mini cometh

Two credible leaks this week revealed pretty much everything there is to know about HTC’s new small(ish) One Mini, also known as the M4. The device is set to come with a 4.3-inch display, just like the other famous Mini phone of the moment, the Galaxy S4 Mini.

According to Bloomberg and Engadget, the One Mini should come in Q3, most likely in August. While the phone’s specifications are likely to be less impressive than those of the One, the good news is that popular features like BoomSound, BlinkFeed, and possibly the Ultrapixels camera, are making an appearance. Best of all, the One Mini will have the same sleek aluminum unibody design going on. Sweet!

Galaxy S4 Zoom: a zany camera/smartphone

Another week, another Samsung Galaxy S4 family member announced. This time, we’re talking about a crazy contraption that Samsung sells as a smartphone, but you probably wouldn’t think that judging from its looks alone.

The 208 grams Galaxy S4 Zoom features a 16MP sensor and an impressive, for a smartphone, 10x optical zoom that is a major contributor to its bulky profile. Specs-wise, …read more

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